To clean up our oceans can help make the beaches nice, but also protect marine wildlife. There are 5 oceans (just larger versions of seas. The largest Pacific contains a mountain of waste the size of Teas. Then there are the Atlantic, Arctic, Southern and Indian. Creatures that live in our oceans include fish, whales, sharks, dolphins, jellyfish, lobsters, octopus, crabs, sea urchins, shrimp, sea turtles, seals and porpoises – along with seagulls, penguins and pelicans.
No matter where you live in England, you are no more than 70 miles or so from the sea (Derbyshire and Leicestershire are farthest). Living simply prevents harm to aquatic life. Also see tips to be a greener boater, how to help marine creatures and show compassion to crustaceans.
- Read The Ocean Book (recycled paper). This informative book looks at the issues (over-fishing, pollution, noise, climate change, rubbish) and what we can do to help.
- Switch to OceanHero. For every 5 searches, their charity sponsors remove one plastic bottle from the ocean.
- Join volunteers at Surfers Against Sewage or Beachwatch, to participate in beach clean-ups.
- Choose biodegradable cleaning and beauty items.
- Use less plastic. See the zero waste category.
- Use less polluting car wash alternatives.
- Don’t release balloons or fire lanterns. This post covers why you should avoid or use biodegradable kites (avoid at dawn and dusk, when birds more likely flying).
- Use zero waste feminine care. There are now many options as opposed to chlorine disposables.
- Wash synthetics ((polyester, nylon, recycled plastic bottles), in a microfiber catch bag. It’s not perfect but better, than switch to natural fibres like cotton, hemp or linen. Choose compostable washable cloths over microfiber cloths.
- Waves Flip Flops are made from natural rubber, a better idea than recycled plastic, if you lose a flop in a wave.
- Securely bin nylon versions, and use plastic-free hair ties
- Use biodegradable cotton buds.
- If you smoke, Boodi Personal Ashtray uses sand to extinguish the butt, pour the sand out, and bin later on.
Ocean Anatomy is a beautifully illustrated guide to the curious world under the sea. Once you know about the amazing wildlife we share our oceans with, you won’t want to pollute it with plastic. This book takes a deep dive under the water to explore the shoreline, open ocean and below the waves, for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. You’ll learn of the impact on oceans of plastic and warming water temperatures
- A Drop in the Ocean (why is the ocean salty? the break up of Pangea, trade winds, the ocean floor, rogue waves, ocean depth zones)
- Plenty of Fish in the Sea (ocean food chain, fish facts, sharks by size, jellyfish, deep sea creatures)
- One Whale at a Time (whales, dolphins, porpoises, orcas, manatees)
- Life’s a Beach (sand, tide pools, shells, kelp forests, shore/ocean birds, crabs, scallops)
- Dive In (the ocean floor, octopus, starfish, squid, shrimp, sea turtles)
- Chill Out (glaciers, icebergs, sea lions, polar bears, penguin sizes)
- Reef Madness (coral reefs, the Great Barrier Reef)
